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The Belarus and Ukraine
Judo Federations, both very strong medallist nations in judo,
have been signed up to train in Kent ahead of the 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games.
Oleksandr Nagibin and Uladzimir
Yemelyanau representing the two nations' Judo Federations, paid
a visit to County Hall in Maidstone on Monday 21st September to
sign an agreement with Kent County Council Chairman John Davies.
It is the largest pre-games
training camp deal in the South East region and is only the second
multi-nation agreement to be signed in the UK.
Also present at the signing
were Chris Bowles from Tonbridge Judo Club and Mark Organ from
Tonbridge School.
The athletes from Belarus
and Ukraine will be attending their first training camp at the
Tonbridge Judo Centre and Tonbridge School this December from
Saturday 19th to Monday 21st. Also attending will be judoka from
Germany, Sweden, Holland and Kasakstan who will also benefit from
the onsite food and accommodation.
Young members of the club
will have the opportunity to train alongside the Olympic athletes
as part of a Cadet and Junior International Camp also organised
by coaches Chris Bowles and Carl Finney.
The two International federations
will then attend training camps in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the
lead up to the Olympics.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman
of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “This is great
news for Tonbridge and Kent. These facilities will help the athletes
train and prepare well for the London Games. It also gives Tonbridge
a chance to get involved in our plans and feel the excitement
of the Games.”
KCC Cabinet Member for
Communities Mike Hill said: "It is a real honour to have
these teams coming to Kent. These high profile nations will give
local people the chance to see elite athletes training and staying
in their local area, something which is very exciting ahead of
2012. We are very keen to build tourism, cultural, educational
and sporting links with Belarus and Ukraine as a result.”
In March 2008, Kent was
recognised for having the most venues in the country approved
as potential Pre Games Training Camps for Olympians and Paralympians.
For more information on
the Cadet and Junior International camp in December please click
on the following link to access the camp brochure and application
form www.judoeducation.co.uk/tonbridge
. Alternatively call 01744 731747 or 07801 816629 for all
enquiries.
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